Mike O'Neill has become a student on the basepaths this season for Springfield, looking for ways to gain an extra step as he tries to become more valuable to the organization.

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How could he not? None other than Willie McGee, a great baserunner in his day with the St. Louis Cardinals and hired weeks earlier as a special assistant to the Cardinals general manager, was in town to teach farmhands on the art he crafted so well.

Now, as a new homestand starts at Hammons Field, the Springfield Cardinals leadoff man is looking for ways to take that next step. ...